Page 22 of The Reluctant Heir

“Look,” I say, coming up beside her as she looks at a dress on display. “I know that I’m a hybrid and succubi probably seem confident, beautiful, and outgoing, but I didn’t get any of that. I’m anti-social and awkward. I’m the least charming person I know. And I’m afraid I’ll embarrass Dad, you, and every vampire who is coming to gawk at me.”

Eden laughs, lighting up her entire face. I swear, even her shoulders relax. “Madeline, I assure you that you will not embarrass anybody.”

I don’t know about all that…

“Now, come and let’s get your measurements so we can get whichever dress you choose altered,” she says.

“When is this ball?” I ask as a worker comes over to get started.

“Tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow?” I squeak, air leaking out of my lungs painfully as I stare at Eden.

Her eyes sparkle with excitement. This is the mother of two boys and she’s excited to have a girl in the family to shop with.

All objection leaves me as I realize that this is her way of accepting me into the family. If our roles were reversed and I was the one having to accept my husband’s love child, I’m not sure I’d be so gracious.

I can handle one night of shopping—how hard can it be?

My feet ache.

After four hours straight of shopping for a dress, shoes, and accessories, Eden and I go to get manicures and pedicures. I nearly sigh when I put my feet into the hot water. Eden, on the other hand, looks like she’s just getting started.

“Your dress is fabulous,” Eden coos, looking at the picture she took on her phone. “I’m going to send this to Michael. He’s going to love it.”

I chew on my bottom lip, wondering how to approach the subject. “So, the ball tomorrow… is it just to introduce me to other vampire clans?”

Eden puts her phone down and glances at me, her eyebrows furrowed. “You are twenty three, yes?”

I nod, confirming my age.

“It’s customary, at your age, to start seriously thinking about the future,” she says.

The future? What is she talking about? My entire world just got turned upside down and my future was abruptly changed. All I’ve been doing is focusing on my future.

She clears her throat. “There will be a lot of princes coming to the ball.”

“Cool,” I say, still unsure what she wants me to say.

“Eligibleprinces.”

“Eligible for what?” I ask.

Eden heaves a sigh. “For marriage.”

My phone slips from my hands, straight toward the bucket of water at my feet. The only thing that keeps it from going under the water is my quick vampire reflexes.

“Marriage,” I squeak, once my phone is safely on my lap again. “But… but… I…”

She grins. “Nobody is asking to marry you tomorrow, sweetie. They’d just like a chance to see you. And I have a feeling you’re going to be very popular.”

I sink further into my seat, letting out a groan.

So much for a nice, relaxing trip to get my nails done.

“Dad wanted you to break the news so he wouldn’t have to, huh?” I ask, glancing at my stepmom. “Because he knew I wouldn’t yell at you?”

Eden’s eyebrows scrunch together. “He didn’t say. He just said I should take you to get ready for the ball. Now that I think of it, you’re probably right about his motive.”

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